Buying a New Camera

[The Flying German]

Good Morning to All the hubbers out there.

 

I know that this is not really related to cycling but i dont know where else to ask and i know that some of you have the knowledge to assist me

 

Ok here goes i would like to buy a camera for capturing stills i dont have any knowledge on cameras but i am looking for something nice with a good lens that can capture wildlife , nice scenery and stuff like that. I would prefer if it has interchangable lenses even if it comes with a basic one and i can upgrade as i go i would like a decent zoom function and good resolution pics i dont want to break the bank but understand that these do not come cheap

 

thanks in Advance for the responses

 

 

[The Flying German]

Something like this ?

[Fruity]

I'm going to be biased, and say go for a Nikon. I see Orms has quite a sweet deal on a Nikon D3300:

https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/nikon-d3300-18-55-55-200vr-lens-bag-sd

 

Having said that, I'm also a bit limited with knowledge about photography, maybe someone else would be able to assist you further.

[GaryP]

Hi. I would also recommend you consider something like the Canon Powershot SX60. I have the SX50 and love it; very simple but very versatile. Here is some info:

 

https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/compacts/canon_sx60hs

 

http://www.takealot.com/canon-sx60-ultra-zoom-digital-camera-black/PLID32845527?gclid=Cj0KEQiAzNfDBRD2xKrO4pSnnOkBEiQAbzzeQVr-HjgbWI2ZBmrlzYLd_kiOib_VGqW-zJ29caa9pn0aAnUF8P8HAQ

 

https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-powershot-sx60-hs?gclid=Cj0KEQiAzNfDBRD2xKrO4pSnnOkBEiQAbzzeQaq9ABgAv7NqrcjozUJXfU80bUlgLLpFpmBpFmKpfIgaAq-A8P8HAQ

 

Ciao.

[madmarc]

If you looking for interchangeable lens cameras then NIKON or CANNON as far as brand goes. Most come with a few lenses for you to start off with. With the advanced technical ability of digital cameras today, they have lots of settings and menus, which confuses and frustrates a lot of people, eventually they just set the camera on Auto and shoot. If this is the case then they should have bought a simple point and shoot camera.

So do yourself a favor, once you purchase your camera, sign up for a digital camera course. I bought a NIKON DS90, had no clue how to use it (i been doing photography off and on since highschool) I went to College of digital Photography CODP and now i use it like a pro.

 

Dont go out and buy big expensive lenses, especially for wild life. rather join a club, lots of them have lenses you can hire. Also there are shops that hire out lenses. So when you off to the bush, simply hire a lens its far cheaper than buying one and then only using it for 2 weeks a year. If you use a lens often then look at buying one.

 

Also make sure you make an effort to go out and take photographs - I know many people with big expensive cameras laying in their cupboard they never use. Its a hobby that you need to make an effort of. Most people simply shoot with their phones today and these big DSLR cameras can be a pain in the ass to lug around and take pics.

Decide on a few shoot days - go out and spend the morning shooting.

 

As a MTBer my goal in 2017 is to go ride at a few MTB parks like NF and modders specifically to shoot pictures and have a bit of a ride. 

[The Flying German]

Firstly Weekend warrior that a brilliant deal much appreciated im sure i will be looking to get that one

 

and Mad marc i really appreciate your helpful info and i hope to get an invite to go and shoot some pics an NF as i live just down the road

 

Thanks alot so far guys

[madmarc]

that NIKON deal seems to be a good deal - I have the same lenses, mainly use the 55 - 200mm.

 

Also add these extras

 

Spare Battery

32GB high speed SD card

UV Haze filters for each lens (more for protection than anything else)

Lens hood used mainly on 55 - 200mm (nothing worse than trying to get that good shot and having to deal with sun glare)

Tripod

Lens cleaning kit with a soft brush.

Flash

 

I only use Metz flashes, don't go crazy and buy big expensive flashes I bought a METZ 36 AF5 Digital flash at GAMe for 200 ZAronds - its more than enough for flash photography

[the nerd]

I would not buy an SLR again...  I would 100% go mirrorless

 

Canon M series... take your pic

[lechatnoir]

my advice: work out what your budget is, then go to the camera store and try ALL the cameras in your price range. Make a note of what feels good and what you like. This look up all the ones you tried on DPreview (and other review sites) and get a sense of what you felt vs what the actual review says. Try and work out what camera will suit you best, then take your money and go and buy the one. If the one you like best is on special at Makro or Game, then go there.

 

I see you're in Centurion... Go to Outdoophoto in Pretoria and get some help. Those guys are great, and also have a decent secondhand selection.

 

As for brands, I shoot Canon, but it makes little difference. But know that once you pick a brand, moving to another is pricey (selling at a loss)

 

just my 2c... The other 2c is that you are picking a dangerous hobby here... if you thought cycling's $$$, then you ain't seen nothing yet

[Fruity]

that NIKON deal seems to be a good deal - I have the same lenses, mainly use the 55 - 200mm.

 

Also add these extras

 

Spare Battery

32GB high speed SD card

UV Haze filters for each lens (more for protection than anything else)

Lens hood used mainly on 55 - 200mm (nothing worse than trying to get that good shot and having to deal with sun glare)

Tripod

Lens cleaning kit with a soft brush.

Flash

 

I only use Metz flashes, don't go crazy and buy big expensive flashes I bought a METZ 36 AF5 Digital flash at GAMe for 200 ZAronds - its more than enough for flash photography

Some sound advice there, and I agree about the extras.

[Fruity]

I would not buy an SLR again...  I would 100% go mirrorless

 

Canon M series... take your pic

Wouldn't lenses for mirrorless cost more than lenses for SLR? Then again we're not sure what the OP's budget is.

[Fruity]

my advice: work out what your budget is, then go to the camera store and try ALL the cameras in your price range. Make a note of what feels good and what you like. This look up all the ones you tried on DPreview (and other review sites) and get a sense of what you felt vs what the actual review says. Try and work out what camera will suit you best, then take your money and go and buy the one. If the one you like best is on special at Makro or Game, then go there.

 

I see you're in Centurion... Go to Outdoophoto in Pretoria and get some help. Those guys are great, and also have a decent secondhand selection.

 

As for brands, I shoot Canon, but it makes little difference. But know that once you pick a brand, moving to another is pricey (selling at a loss)

 

just my 2c... The other 2c is that you are picking a dangerous hobby here... if you thought cycling's $$$, then you ain't seen nothing yet

OP, as lechnoir mentioned, it is a very expensive hobby, I've had my camera since February last year, and I don't plan on upgrading lenses.

 

Edit: I find the 18-55mm kit lens perfect for my needs, and I find the 55-200mm okay for the occasional bird shot with the tripod.

 

As mentioned earlier, your budget, so it's entirely up to you what you would like to do.

[Griffin]

check online at https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/ aswell... I buy most of my camera equip through them.

 

Nikon is my choice..I am biased though.. been shooting Nikon for years. It is a very expensive sideline/hobby/job though... camera body alone that I am looking to upgrade to is upwards of R35k

 

Camera body is one thing and lenses are another and can be more expensive that the camera body! You should get kit lenses with any combo deal but be aware they will never compare to a dedicated lens. Also remember that lenses do become quite specific to the type of photography that you would like to do 

 

PM me if you would like to chat or go through some details

[JXV]

Good Morning to All the hubbers out there.

 

I know that this is not really related to cycling but i dont know where else to ask and i know that some of you have the knowledge to assist me

 

Ok here goes i would like to buy a camera for capturing stills i dont have any knowledge on cameras but i am looking for something nice with a good lens that can capture wildlife , nice scenery and stuff like that. I would prefer if it has interchangable lenses even if it comes with a basic one and i can upgrade as i go i would like a decent zoom function and good resolution pics i dont want to break the bank but understand that these do not come cheap

 

thanks in Advance for the responses

For a DSLR (or mirrorless with interchangeable lenses) your budget is anything from about R6k for an entry level kit to several R100k if you get into the long fast glass used for sports and wildlife.

 

If you can stretch to about the R12k to R20k region initially then I would recommend skipping the entry level bodies since you already expressed an intention to expand your system over time and you listed subjects (like wildlife) that benefit from having stronger auto focus systems and easy adjustability of settings via dedicated buttons instead of menu diving.

 

For DSLR and overall, Canon and/or Nikon systems offer the best availability, support and choice of lenses and accessories. Another good player is Pentax.

 

APSC Mirrorless systems from Sony and Fuji are the best and competitive with DSLRs in image quality but have less availability and service support. Mirrorless systems must rely on electronic viewfinders and they are usually very compact....so battery life suffers and this is a biggie. Mirrorless ILCs have not matured yet...and some will moan bitterly about this statement but its true.

 

So, back to Canikon....once you make an investment in a few lenses and accessories you'll tend to stick with just the one brand 'cos its hideously expensive to switch. Both are good. I'm a long time satisfied Nikon shooter.

 

Nikon : The D3x00 bodies are entry level. Very good but with limited features. You need to menu-dive to make use of all the available shooting adjustments. D3300 has just been replaced by D3400 but actually has some superior features. I'd buy a D3300 kit over the equivalent D3400 right now.

 

The D5x00 bodies give you longer design life, more robustness and a lot more buttons and external controls. The AF system is also better. D5500 was just replaced by D5600 but the upgrade is pretty much only the Snapbridge wifi system. D5300 and D5500 both have wifi anyway, just not Snapbridge. Some excellent deals on D5500 and D5300 kits right now in the R12k to R15k range. all the above D3x00 and D5x00 models use basically the same excellent 24 Mpixel sensor

 

Canon x00D series are the equivalents of the Nikon D5x00 series. Some nice options. Nikon sensors are way better IMO.

 

Will get onto lenses in another post if you still interested....

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[lechatnoir]

I would not buy an SLR again...  I would 100% go mirrorless

 

Canon M series... take your pic

 

Why? My reason would be weight. But stand to lose too much on current kit, and the pics I get with it are good enough frankly

[Andrew_Smith]

Hi The Flying German,

 

As an amateur photographer myself, I would suggest from my point of view to go secondhand. You will be able to save a lot of money and will be able to save that money for a better lens going on. 

As for my gear, I use a Canon 1200D. I got it secondhand with the following included:

 

(*) Canon EOS 1200D including a SanDisk 8GB 40mb/s + Canon camera bag
(*) Canon 18-55mm DC Lens
(*) Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Lens
(*) Metz 36 AF-5 Digital Flashgun
(*) Manfrotto Tripod (with ball head)
(*) Monopod

 

All for R5000. Yeah, I know it is secondhand, but you will be astonished how robust DSLR cameras are, so do not be afraid to buy it secondhand. 

What I basically did before buying the camera was:

 

1.) Firstly the condition of the camera itself.

2.) Confirm that it was in a working condition.

3.) Check shutter count (basically the most important one, I would say).

4.) Lenses, by shining a bright light through lens seeing for dark spots. If it is clear, you A-for-away.

 

But you should also Google what to check when buying a DSLR secondhand, there would also be great tips which I missed.

 

Another thing you should check is dust on the sensor. Do not panic, it is not the end of the world. So, how to check it is easy. Aim for the sky (with manual mode on the lens) and set your aperture to the highest possible. Preferably check the image on a computer and if you notice black dots, you know your sensor is filthy. Go to your nearest camera store to ask them to clean it. Luckily for me Orms Bellville is near me and they do the service for free.

 

Other than that, you are sorted. As for brands, Nikon's lenses tend to be more pricey, so just keep that in mind when buying. I was on my way to buy a Nikon, but that Canon deal was more worth it (in terms of price and what I was getting). 

 

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. I am more than happy to help you out!

 

And remember, Google is your friend. Good luck and happy shooting,